New Library Search Tool Debuts May 19

The Library website will be changing on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. The new website will include the new Library Search tool, along with updated and revised links. This new library system will replace the previous Books+, PowerSearch and Classic Catalog search tools. In addition, it will take the place of the previous Journals button on the Library homepage. Holds and recall requests are temporarily suspended while this transition takes place.

Access to specific databases (e.g. JSTOR, Scopus) will not be affected. Borrowing periods for library materials and interlibrary loan services will remain the same as well.

Library staff is available to provide help and individual support both before and after the switch over. For more information, please contact the Ask-a-Librarian service at http://wmich.libanswers.com/ or call the University Libraries Reference Desk at: (269) 387-5178.

April, National Poetry Month

WMU Libraries Celebration

- Please note two events have changed from the original published list of events:

Tue., April 14 Poetry of Tuba has moved to Friday April 17, same time and place, Education Library in Sangren at 11 am.Wed., April 15 CELCIS Poetry readings are cancelled.

This is the time to celebrate WMU arts with the art of poetry. A host of collaborative events will spring up at all four libraries; Dwight B. Waldo, Harper C. Maybee Music and Dance, Gary and Rita Swain Education, and Archives libraries. It begins with an opening event of music, readings, and refreshments. There will also be 'pop up' poetry readings, the poetry of music, all-the-time poetry table games, art displays, and more.

New Library System Will Benefit All

The University Libraries is in the process of implementing a new library system complete with a new discovery and search interface. Scholars and first time users will each benefit from the intuitive but comprehensive search engine. Better integration between information sources and more efficient library workflows will allow streamlined services responsive to student and faculty needs.

The Libraries completed its selection process during 2014 and will be ready to preview the new interface with the WMU community in April 2015. Training sessions and online help will allow library users to familiarize themselves with the new system and incorporate any needed revisions into course materials and workflows. For more in-depth information see our Integrated Library System Project news blog; http://wmulibrariesils.blogspot.com/

New Education Library Leadership

University Libraries is pleased to announce that Brad Dennis, associate professor, is the new Head of the Gary and Rita Swain Education Library at Western Michigan University. His appointment is effective starting Spring Semester 2015. He came to University Libraries on July 1, 2002 as an Education Services Librarian and has served the College of Education and Human Development through its three iterations. Mr. Dennis was instrumental in bringing the national LibQual survey improvement program to Western and works to explore various teaching methods in his promotion of Information Literacy. Brad has long established relationships with faculty and students in the College.

Michele Behr is named Education Services Librarian in the Gary and Rita Swain Education Library located in Sangren Hall. Michele has been the Extended University Programs (Off-Site) Librarian since 2001. During this time she has liaised with many graduate programs, the majority of which are housed in the College of Education and Human Development. The move underscores her unique abilities to work with graduate populations both off and on campus. She has played a major role in the development of Information Literacy through workshops and presentations at the Graduate College. She will retain her seat on the Graduate Studies Council.

Please welcome them as they serve the campus community in their new roles within University Libraries.

Food for Hungry Students

The increase in students going hungry is a national trend and several Michigan universities have set up food banks for those in need.

All libraries will be drop off locations for the program. Faculty, staff, community members, and students are invited to bring in non-perishable food to help stock the cupboards in Faunce Student Services. Thirty other units across campus are also drop off locations. The drop box location for Waldo Library is in the lobby to the right by the elevator.

So, in the spirit of the holidays, please consider bringing in food to donate.

What's Waldo?

Waldo Library is highlighting 'What Waldo is all about' with a promotion of its services and resources for the new academic year. There are hundreds of services and millions of resources for the WMU community at Waldo and the three branch libraries: the Archives and Regional History Collections in the Zhang Legacy Center, the Maybee Music and Dance Library in Dalton, and the Swain Education Library in Sangren. Examples include: over 5 million items; individual help with research projects, 'Ask a Librarian' through text, chat, phone, or email; articles delivered by email.

Start at the website with PowerSearch to search the libraries' catalog, talk to a research consultant (librarian) for help with your paper, and come in for study space and a cold pop. Waldo is open Sunday - Thursday until 3 am. Service desks close at midnight with self checkout available after midnight in the lobby.

'Waldo' will be in the lobby with bookmarks that highlight the services and materials. The photo is from the 2014 Bronco Bash featuring library staff promoting 'What's Waldo?' information.

Welcome New Associate Dean of Technology

May Chang is the new Associate Dean of Libraries Information Technology. She oversees many aspects of Library technology and technology services. Please welcome her to WMU. She is listed here in the directory with an office in Waldo library administrative offices.

Welcome New Business Librarian

LuMarie Guth is the new Business Librarian for WMU. She is the library liaison for all Haworth College of Business needs. Please welcome her to campus. She is listed here in the directory with an office in Waldo Library.

Award Winning Conference Poster

Jason Glatz, Maps coordinator and a specialist GIS at University Libraries won a bronze metal at the Association of Research Libraries conference for a research poster titled "Using GIS to Facilitate Data-Driven Decision Making." Glatz also runs the mapping service at Waldo where the WMU community can have spatial data from their research conveyed in maps.

The area is on second floor, is open to any WMU student, and will be staffed Sunday through Thursday in the late afternoon and evening. Times will be posted at the location. Students wanting to improve their study habits can enter the zone and will receive academic support and coaching by zone staff. Study Zone info.

Join in the WMU conversation, Life of Pi, WMU Common Read

Pick up a copy of "Life of Pi" and join the University Common Read! This book is being read by all First Year Experience students and will be accompanied by campus and community events taking place throughout the 2014-15 academic year. Book kits complete with discussion guide are available at Waldo Library Circulation desk for your book group.

On Twitter - WMU Archives and Regional History Collections

Information from the Western's Archives and the Regional History Collections is now appearing on its Twitter feed. Tweets include items of historical note like this example: "On this day in 1957, Western Michigan College became Western Michigan University." Also, community events, regional history facts, and collection information are on the feed e.g. "Diaries - the quantified self tracking device of the 19th century - available to researchers at the WMU Archives."

Well-Marked Quiet Zones in University Libraries

Quiet zones are easier to locate

Students and other readers will find it easier to locate quiet study areas in Waldo Library and the Music and Dance Library. Updated library maps will designate the quiet zones and new signage is posted at the entry into those areas. New notations are also attached to study tables as reminders. Library users are asked to please respect those around them in these areas and keep noise to a minimum. For audio files being used on the computers there are ear buds available for purchase at the Waldo Library Copy Center, and the Music and Dance Library has many computers equipped with headphones. The Education Library in Sangren Hall has a separate quiet room with study tables.

The central stairwell is the designated cell phone area on all floors in Waldo and contains benches for phone conversations. Please note that Waldo and the WMU branch libraries are generally not designated as ‘Quiet Libraries’ so team meetings, tutoring, and other quiet talking are permitted/encouraged. Patrons seeking solitude should use the quiet zones.